Local man busted for break-in at Broadreach, again

By Tanya Mitchell | Jul 12, 2012

Source: Belfast Police DepartmentEvan Finlay

Belfast — A Searsport man who was wanted for failing to appear in court in connection to a theft he allegedly committed at a local nonprofit organization late last year was arrested Thursday, July 5 on charges that he stole from the same outfit again.

Evan Finlay, 21, of Searsport was arrested on charges of violating conditions of release, criminal mischief, theft, burglary following an investigation into a reported break-in and theft at the nonprofit social service organization Broadreach Family & Community Services.

Belfast Detective Sgt. Bryan Cunningham said police already had a warrant out for Finlay's arrest because he allegedly failed to show up for a court date in connection to another theft he is accused of committing at Broadreach in December 2011. In that case, Finlay was accused of stealing five $20 Walmart gift cards from the nonprofit. From there, Finlay allegedly sold them to a local woman, who was caught on a Walmart surveillance camera using some of the cards and later told police she bought the cards from Finlay.

Finlay was reportedly able to gain access to the locked cabinet where the cards were stored because he has a relative who works for Broadreach and he had knowledge of the building, according to police.

In the latest incident, police located Finlay and arrested him on the warrant, after which Cunningham said he went to the Waldo County Jail to speak with Finlay about the July 5 break-in at Broadreach. In the latest incident, Cunningham said a payroll check was reported stolen from the organization office, as well as a few Hannaford gift cards.

While going through Finlay's belongings at the jail, Cunningham said corrections officers located an envelope that contained the missing payroll check, a check that was made out to Finlay's relative, but there was no sign of the missing Hannaford cards.

Police believe Finlay gained access to the building by kicking in one of the exterior doors, Cunningham said. Police obtained a warrant for Finlay's footwear and found the tread on the bottom of Finlay's shoe was a match to the footprints that were left on the door of the nonprofit.

Finlay is scheduled to appear at Waldo County Superior Court on the latest charges Thursday, Aug. 30.